Beards United
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Football's Best Beards

Whilst watching the recent Euro 2012 final, I was struck by something. Not the exquisite tika-taka that deftly guided Spain to their record breaking triumph. Or the fact Fernando Torres has enjoyed the best worst season of all time. Nor indeed the auspicious talent showed by those Spanish toddlers. Nope, I was taken by the quality of beard the football world can now boast. Rather fittingly considering our dominant football force, there is a Spanish proverb which states: "Chins without beards deserve no honour." But time was, the only football growths of note were Jimmy Hill's comedy chin strap and Alexi Lalas' fiery ZZ Top tribute. However, now everyone from David Beckham to Daniele De Rossi bring quality stubble to the world's finest stadia (and "The Home Depot Center") every week. But whose fuzz should you replicate? Here's a variety of beardy styles to help inspire your own facial topiary...

Gerard PiquéPerhaps the new generation's leading beard protagonist, the hirsute 25-year-old's artfully cultivated growth has been an almost constant feature throughout his glittering career. Well, aside from his early spell at Manchester United. There's a lesson in there for us all: ditch the clean shave and you too could secure a move to Barcelona and squire a leading Colombian pop princess.*